Baby Boomers, do you remember the old-time style of witnessing? You know, standing on the corner or knocking on the doors of strangers and telling them the good news about Jesus, the son of God? It was truly a commitment to the instruction of scripture, for the children of God, to go into the world and spread good news.

The Good News meaning that Jesus was born the son of God, come into the world to offer hope to a lost and dying world that they might accept him, repent of their sins and grow in their relationship with God the Father and have eternal life with him in Heaven, instead of living a sinful life of destruction and pain.

I have admiration for those who can and have witnessed in that way door to door or on the streets. It is not for everyone however, and it is not the only way to win souls. Society has changed and in some ways not for the better. Personal safety issues are part of the equation. It simply is not safe to send teens or young people into settings where they are encouraged to step foot into the homes of strangers where they may, or may not, be wanted. Today’s secular world has little respect for life, or for Christian values.

Today, that type of witnessing still happens on some level…but, times have changed in the way that we deliver the good news. We still need to honor and perform the great commission (the task of evangelizing) around the world; however, our approach must be different to be considered highly effective. People’s hearts are hard and their sins are proudly displayed and openly encouraged by the misguided members of our society.

We have to bring the message to where they are; and, many people are online. Continue reading here: Write Where You Are

The media is bombarding us with a feel good story about a man by the name of Ted Williams. He has been homeless for quite some time as he struggled with drug and alcohol addictions, as well as legal problems. That is not all that unusual when you stop and consider the large number of people living on the streets and learn about their individual stories. Often you will find that there is a dependency on either drugs or alcohol, or even possibly a mental illness that often goes untreated. With the economic disasters of the last decade, there are more people out on the street because they have been uprooted by a sudden change in their finances. Military veterans often struggle with a return to civilian life and end up homeless. Runaways also can end up homeless after they have run through the willingness of their friends and family to allow them to couch surf for a period of time. Still, people become homeless for a variety of reasons and it doesn’t have to be permanent. People living on the street can also become a victim of violence or intimidation. Homelessness can be a reaction to a temporary situation in a person’s life. Homeless does not have to mean a hopeless situation. If you would like to read more of this post click here: WriteWhereYouAre

When are people going to wake up to the fact that we need to stop allowing instances of evil and violence to be glorified on television, movies, books and in our music? Isn’t it obvious that the world has been turning this garbage into “entertainment” and that it is having a terrible influence on our society? Today there was two distinctive situations that destroyed lives that is shockingly cruel in the fact that the victims of violence were totally innocent.

A nursing home in Carthage, North Carolina has 8 dead people , 7 residents and a nurse, because a young man came into the nursing home and started shooting at people. The reason is unclear at this point. It is alleged that his estranged wife works at this nursing home although that is not confirmed. An unprovoked attack on innocent people that would have been much worse had it not been for the heroic actions of a 25 year old police officer who was able to stop the shooter. While the news media covers these terrible bursts of violence…we must learn to carefully balance how these things are addressed in the media; so that they do not become gloried examples for those with similar thoughts.

Another equally upsetting situation; an ex-con attacks his sisters and kills two of them…one a five year old child on her birthday. He kills his 17 year old sister by brutally stabbing her…then, he goes after the five year old and decapitates her as the police come in. She is found near her birthday cake. The nine year old sister had called the officers…some how she was stabbed as well; she is in the hospital with injuries. Not only has she been injured, she lost members of her family and she has to live with the images of death and violence. This brother was clearly a person out of control; it was alleged that he had some kind of a run-in with a neighbor the evening before as well.

We have people who dont know how to resolve their personal problems…committing violence and killing innocent people. We have loners, and mentally ill people who do not get treatment. Our economy is so tight that those who desperately need mental health treatment do not get it because of cost. We need to seriously consider spending more money for preventative well-care programs for people at risk for such behaviors.

I would really like to see people stop supporting slasher/shoot them up shows and movies with their dollars. These type of entertainments only serve to encourage those who are bent on venting their anger and revenge or for those who are mentally unstable on taking out their rage on innocent people. How do you protect yourself and your loved ones from random violence? It is impossible. Is anyone else sick and tired of these things happening in schools, shopping malls, nursing homes and colleges, etc?

I have moved to a new Url: WriteWhereYouAre if you are interested in reading more of my blog posts!

Isn’t it sad to see someone who was once considered beautiful, sexy, popular and much sought after turned into an empty shell? In other words a hottie turned into a nottie? One of the big misconceptions that the media portrays on men and women is that all you have to do to be successful is to be attractive, popular and available. If a person falls into that trap and doesn’t develop some deeper qualities and values in life…eventually, the emptiness turns a person into a sad, shell of a person who seeks attention in the only way they know how; displaying what they consider to be their only value…their body.

You see this all of the time in the world of celebrities…but everyday people often fall into that trap as well. Beauty, youth, and popularity all pass away in time…what’s left is the spirit, the mind, and their purpose in life. If those aren’t developed along the way…the search for meaning is sometimes mis-directed onto meaningless relationships, trendy pseudo-religions, drugs/alcohol abuse, and endless dramatic attempts to seek attention.

As a society we need to devalue the attention that the media puts on empty pursuits by public role models. We need to encourage those sports figures, politicians, and celebrities who are doing positive…purposeful things in life. Quite giving time and attention to those who are living on the edge and doing nothing more with the gifts in their lives than pursuing selfish and destructive behaviors. In raising our children, we need to develop character building, self esteem, and goals of reaching out to others.

We do this by teaching them to discover how to connect to others, give back to those who are less fortunate in life, teach them spiritual fulfillment, and to value their bodies by encouraging modesty and healthy self- esteem building techniques.

I dont like seeing young guys or gals flaunting their bodies or their finances to gain attention; I like it even less when i see a 40-60 year old who talks, acts, spends, and dresses like a teenager…because that is the only way they know to attract members of the opposite sex. Let’s encourage an attitude of growth, respect, confidence, and personal development as a way of life!

There is a debate brewing about whether news media should have access to photograph the coffins of returning military men and women, killed in the line of duty, when their bodies are returned to Dover Air Force Base. There is strong controversy about whether this should be allowed or not. In 1991, President George H. Bush enacted a ban on the photographing of the coffins. It just was not allowed to happen, by the order of the President.

This has been a matter of contention. Some people believe that allowing the photographs could make an impact on the minds of the citizens of the United States as to the cost of war; as the death toll rises from the wars in recent years. There are many who feel that by not seeing the evidence of the coffins, people would not understand the depths of the sacrifice that our service persons were making. In effect, out of sight…out of mind. (more…)

Denis Beaudoin who believes he may be the father of some of the children that Nayda Suleman (Octo-mom) gave birth to has gotten the ok to have DNA testing done to determine whether he is in fact the father of any of the children. Nayda has 6 older children as well as the 8 newborn babies who made media history recently when they were all delivered alive.

Denis donated sperm to Nayda during the years that they dated between 1997-1999. She told him she couldnt have children the traditional way because she had ovarian cancer. They were in love at the time and wanted to have a child together. They broke up eventually and went their seperate ways. When he heard of these pregnancies and births…he immediately thought it was possible that he was the biological father. Nayda denies that he is the father and has ok him having the DNA testing to prove that he is not. Time will tell the truth about paternity. If it rules Denis out…then the questions will begin again about who in fact is the father. (more…)

A man, Denis Beaudoin, who donated sperm for Nayda Suleman during a 3 year relationship, that they shared 10-12 years ago, suspects that he maybe the father of ,at least, her older six children; not to mention the possiblity of being the father of her 8 newborn babies. Nayda has been the focus of much speculation and news reporting since giving birth to the babies; she has been referred to as the Octo-mom in the press. All 14 of her children have been conceived by invitro fertilization. Nayda says that all of her children are the product of invitro-fertilization from the same sperm donor. Denis Beaudoin says that he knew Nayda Suleman when their friends nicknamed her giggles for her infectious laugh. (more…)